Why Shared Decision Making Matters.

Shared decision making is a hallmark of Magnet® organizations. Although the terminology can vary, the essence is the same: nurses at all levels, and in all settings, need to be a part of the decision making structure and process. Their voices, along with those of their interprofessional colleagues, ensure a culture of accountability. During times of financial challenges, trimming shared decision making councils may seem an easy place to save money. However, eliminating the councils may lead to increased unintentional costs. This month's Magnet Perspectives takes a closer look at the benefits of shared decision making and its enduring value.

Rekindling a Passion for Nursing.

Daily, I see another story about a nurse who has decided to leave the profession. The constant stress of caring for desperately ill COVID-19 patients, staffing issues, and other challenges have combined to push nurses out of our profession at an alarming rate. What we don't hear about are stories of nurses who leave the profession temporarily and then opt to return. I recently read an editorial written by a nurse who resigned at the height of the COVID pandemic. After a year off, she realized how much being a nurse was a part of her identity and she returned to bedside care. Her story is my story, too. Reading it inspired me to depart from the usual format of the Magnet® Perspectives column to share my nursing story in hopes it will inspire others.

The Enduring Relevance of Magnet®.

As nurse leaders across the country contend with critical challenges, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19, tightening budgets, staff resignations, nurse burnout, and declining nurse engagement, some wonder whether the Magnet® framework is still relevant today. It has been nearly 40 years since the original Magnet research was published. How does it stand up in the wake of modern-day realities? Do the findings continue to hold true? This Magnet Perspectives column takes a closer look at the research that led to the program's creation, development of the Magnet Model, and the program's relevance in meeting the challenges of today's demanding healthcare environment. In addition, this month's JONA includes "The Business Case for Magnet® Designation: Using Data to Support Strategy" demonstrating the framework Magnet continues to provide cost savings and cost avoidance.

Magnet® and Pathway: Partners for Nursing Excellence.

This month's Magnet® Perspectives column examines American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program® and Pathway to Excellence® Program as partners for nursing excellence. We explore the differences between the programs, how they complement one another, and how they can be combined to impact a host of key measures, including nurse engagement, interprofessional collaboration, and patient safety. Nursing leaders at 2 dual-designated hospitals share their decision to pursue both credentials and ways in which the combined designation adds value for nurses and the patient care environment. They discuss how the essential elements of a Magnet and Pathway culture contributed to a nimble, innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies nursing leaders can employ to create and sustain an environment where change flourishes and nurses thrive.

Shared Governance in Times of Change.

A strong shared governance framework gives nurses control over their practice. Whether unit based or system wide, shared governance provides the infrastructure to deliver high-quality patient care, especially in a crisis. This month's Magnet® Perspectives column takes a closer look at the concept of shared governance, how it has evolved, why it is important, and how it helped nurses in Magnet hospitals navigate the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore the critical nature of ensuring that everyone's voice is heard to not only survive but also ultimately thrive during times of change.

Pivoting During a Pandemic.

When the coronavirus hit the United States earlier this year, hospitals across the country were forced to quickly convert to crisis mode. Overnight, health systems transformed clinical and administrative operations to care for rising numbers of COVID-19 patients. Now, as the country slowly reopens and we move back to "normal," hospitals again face a major reboot to regroup and recover. Those that meet this challenge successfully will survive. Many others will not. This month's Magnet Perspectives column examines how Magnet hospitals are uniquely positioned to ride the waves and manage the chaos. What are the components that helped them adapt and adjust when COVID-19 struck, and how are those elements facilitating response and recovery? The column also looks at how the Magnet Recognition Program itself responded to challenges posed by the coronavirus and altered some of its long-standing processes to meet customer needs.